Home > State police: Springfield man tossed infant to ground as he fled

State police: Springfield man tossed infant to ground as he fled

Matt StoutWednesday, September 12, 2012

A Springfield man — already under arrest on gun charges — could also face child assault charges after he heartlessly tossed an infant to the ground as he tried to get away from troopers, state police said.

Edwin Perez, 24, was sitting in a chair with the infant in his lap last night as state police — acting on a complaint Perez had a weapon — approached, authorities said. He “immediately threw the infant to the ground” and ran, state police said in a statement.

As troopers chased him, Perez pulled a loaded gun from his waistband, and tried to fight off officers in a “violent struggle” before being arrested, police said. The gun, a 9mm Smith and Wesson, had been stolen from Hartford, Conn., police said.

The infant, whose relationship to Perez was not detailed, was taken to Mercy Hospital, and was treated and released for what state police called minor injuries.

Perez is facing charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest, assault and battery on a police officer and disorderly conduct. Troopers are also “actively investigating” charges of the assault and battery of a child, state police said.

Perez is expected to appear in Springfield District Court today, police said.